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I used to be sweet. Heck…I used to be nice. They’d beaten that out of me a long time ago….At least I thought they had. I could be nice to certain people. Freya replied, “No, they didn’t.” Xander had a serious warning about people who didn’t like me.

Gosh….he was going to be busy if he didn’t end up hating me. Sierra linked me, “The Ring and Black Path beware. Melanie’s Xander is going on the hunt. Something tells me he excels at it.” She knew he did because I’d told them.

He was an Alpha Enforcer and Squadron Leader who happened to be a Duke of Faerie and the Hackura. That would be serious trouble for the list of people I had that were bad. If he got it, they were dead much quicker than I planned on killing them. Xander was a see a problem, take it out kind of man.

To be fair…The Ring didn’t actually know my identity as the Resistance leader….but they certainly didn’t like me…since I did lead it…I was definitely on the top kill list for a lot of people. Xander’s lips were on mine again.

Eventually he pulled back and led us all through the town.

It was amazing. Freya hummed, “Yes, sightseeing has perks. You could enjoy other countries instead of just having meetings in buildings you own, killing someone, and leaving.” I replied, “Well, I killed bad people so….” She snorted, “I am aware.”

I loved everything about this town. When they took us into a cookie shop it hit me….They heard Sierra and I talking about their scents. Xander had heard me talking about licking and biting a sugar cookie…but it wasn’t a cookie….it was him.

Embarrassment flooded me. Sierra tried to play it off.

She linked me, “You’ve been fantasizing about you two together for YEARS.

It’s always him.” I slapped her arm. Phil wanted her to say it out loud.

I warned over link, “Don’t you dare tell him that!

” Sierra retorted, “One day, maybe even right now, he will find it interesting.” I rolled my eyes.

Xander seductively whispered in my ear. Freya purred, “Yes, lick him everywhere.” She was sounding weaker and I hated that. She snorted, “Focus on our sexy mate.” His breath was tickling my ear and giving me ideas. This wasn’t fair. That tone...that voice.

Sierra linked me, “Ok your scent of arousal is through the roof.” I nearly shrieked, “Well…it’s not my fault! He doesn’t whisper like this to other people. ILYX doesn’t whisper because XANDER doesn’t on any audio I had access to.”

I stammered, “He…it…I’m not prepared…and I’m not good in situation when ill-prepared.” She scoffed, “You plan on the fly better than anyone I’ve ever met. Let’s get our cookies.” I practically flew up to the counter.

There was a she wolf behind the counter who winked at me.

Oh good lord. Sierra linked me, “There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Our mates are hot.” I’d always known Xander was hot.

I didn’t know he had a panty melting whisper he’d never used anywhere I could hear it.

Or how his breathe on my neck would make me want to submit to him. I needed to do more research.

I ordered a sugar cookie. Sierra snorted, “Why bother? The best smelling one to you is over there.” I stuck my tongue out at her and walked back over to Xander. He popped us to some restaurant he liked. I couldn’t believe this was my life right now. This was happening. I bit my lip.

I glanced at my one of my best friends. It made sense when I thought about it…Sierra and Elise... I was always meant to be by their sides with our mates. I hoped….it could all work out. Sierra linked, “Aww you get to say you’ve never had wine.” That was true, I hadn’t.

I drank a lot though. Here shortly…..I’d see if I could dull the pain of the memories of my family dying with alcohol. Or maybe I wouldn’t do that this year. Normally I put on music and drank. Not exactly the best way to cope….but it’s what I had.

I was usually punished on that day too. Every year. This would be the first year I wasn’t in Black Path….to be punished. Well, I’m sure it was waiting for me when I got back.

Sierra linked me, “How interesting he already knows your favorite color is red.” I replied, “It’s kind of obvious….and purple is a close second.” She sighed, “You’re being obtuse and I’m pretty sure it’s not intentional.” Umm rude. I didn’t know what she meant but it felt like Freya did.

Once we finished eating Xander was ready to leave. Except he had no idea Sierra wouldn’t be done eating for at least a half hour. Sierra urged out loud and over link, “Go. Be with your Xander.” I asked, “Are you sure?”

Sierra snorted, “I’m beyond sure I want you to go be with him.

For my own part, I’m getting some from my mate when we get home.

Go get you some of that man. You’ve been crushing on him since you were three years old.

I mean seriously the UNIVERSE threw you together.

He wasn’t supposed to be at the show.” She was right.

He absolutely was not supposed to be there because I’d have known if he was…

. and I would not have been there. Sierra added, “It’s past time you had some fun.

You haven’t had any since I’ve met you. You train, you experiment, you create, you dance, but you don’t have fun.

You’ve had fun tonight. Go. Be with him.

Trust yourself. Your heart is telling you he wants you.

Don’t listen to your head.” I nodded to her…

.but my head was right. Freya said, “It’s not. ” It was.

I could argue with Sierra that killing bad people could be considered fun…

I also met a lot of interesting and new people…

I was uniting the secret and unknown Supernaturals together.

I had fun when Kinglsey introduced me to the Yule Cats.

They were fun…so…I mean I did go kill more people while she had sex… .but Grandma Yule Cat was fun.

I wondered if Benny was around. Maybe I could talk to him…or Alastair….JJ would be best. He was definitely fun… Xander would probably like to spend time with them too…since it was all on the down low anyway…Benny was being difficult about everything though.

Freya snorted, “But you understand his quest to do avenge his family himself.” Yes, because I was on my own quest. I reasoned, “Yes, but we are with Xander and they are family. They know them.” She hummed, “He can lie.”

I asked, “Why would Benny lie about that? I’ve seen him with some of Xander’s cousins anyway. He does leave really fast. This time he could hang out. If I need fun, he definitely does.” She snorted but I was pretty sure I was right.

With that settled Xander and I ran outside. Several people chucked at us. Then he pulled me into him and began to dance. I couldn’t help my smile. Fairies were good dancers, and Xander was no exception. I taught him some moves so we could do flips. He picked it up in a flash then kissed me again.

I swear this time I heard fireworks. Eventually we parted and took off again. He popped us closer to the house to race. Freya laughed sleepily, “He’s in for it.” He was. I was insanely fast and I always had been. With my wolf, I’d bet I was faster.

She hummed, “Good assumption and it’s incredibly accurate.” That made me laugh. I’d often wanted to ask Alpha Emmett to race me….just to see who was faster…probably him but I’d get closer to beating him than anyone else.

I took off knowing Xander wasn’t going to catch me. He might be able to be right behind if he hadn’t been so surprised. I teased him then wanted to slap myself. He just kissed me again though…Ok.. so he wasn’t mad. Freya agreed, “He’s definitely not mad.”

It was ok by me if he’d kiss me every time I ranted. It was nicer than the things people usually said to try to get me to stop. Not that their way worked. My heart hurt when he said I was perfect. I wasn’t. I was going to be a problem for him. Freya argued, “We are his best asset.” Not really.

We walked inside and talked through some things. He seemed upset by several things I’d said. Freya hummed, “More like that this happened to you. Not that you said it.” His eating lard comment set me off. I’d pay him….so much money to see that.

We discussed moving. Freya scoffed, “We are moving. I will not live with those horrid people. I’d kill that Alpha the second I was strong enough.” I replied, “I could kill him.” I just hadn’t because while Caine was ready to take over now, the other packs weren’t yet.

Caine also doubted he was ready but that was because of the years his dad had of putting him down…I needed Xander’s mom psychology degree but… I didn’t have one. I could get one though…food for thought.

Freya purred, “He offered to move for us and our position. He is a true Alpha.” I agreed, “He is but they would never let him come.” She scoffed, “If he wanted to come they could not stop him.” I replied, “They would never let him see what truly happened in their pack. Besides, we don’t know he will want us in Black Mountain after we explain it all. ”

I tried to explain that to him but it wasn’t coming out right.

I was trying to keep my tears from falling.

I desperately wanted to hear all these words from him…

.but once he knew….that might not be the case.

Freya whispered, “It will be. He already loves us.” She didn’t know that. She didn’t understand.

Freya sighed, “I have all your memories Melanie. It may be slow going through them right now, but I know that no one should have blamed you. They were the ones who were wrong.”

“Any family would’ve done the same to protect their pups. The Warriors should’ve helped. Hunters shouldn’t have been in the heart of the pack. Someone had to help them.” She was right. Someone had to let them in. Was Jason in danger? I’d have to figure it out.

I resolved to tell him the whole story the second his mission was over. If we went to Black Mountain together….Elise and EJ would recognize me in a second. I didn’t know what either of them knew about my situation.